After sending our prayer request email for the 71Five Parents Prayer team, I was delighted to receive a call from Melva a few hours later. She shared with me that: “The Lord is stirring my heart as I pray for these young parents. I was eighteen when I became a young mother in 1961. When you are that young, the brain is not fully developed. I felt so poorly equipped at eighteen to manage a home and take care of children. I know what it’s like to be a young parent and grieve for what each one has to walk through. If I can bless these young mothers and help equip them by supporting 71Five Parents; then I want to do it. I was so busy all my life. Now at 81 years, when I look back at what I went through, I see that the Lord was there with me. “

 

Can you see the Lord working through Melva to transform and equip young parents? The Lord has called all believers to make disciples. Thank you for giving hope, praying for and equipping each one of our young parents. Jesus said in the Bible, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

 

 

Maria, one of the teen mothers in 71Five Parents shared with me her best friend Eva wanted to come to dinner and would need a ride. We were both so happy that she wanted to join us. This new mom Eva was very young, only 14 years old, and her son was 12 months. When Maria and I were driving to get Eva, we called her, and she told us that her dad had taken the truck with her son’s car seat in it. This meant that without the car seat she wasn’t going to be able to attend the event. We pulled over. Maria and I started making calls. Maria called her teacher from the Highschool child development center “Do they have another seat?” Unfortunately, no… I called Amy at Just Between Friends Consignment, one of our business supporters, Amy said she wished she could help but didn’t have one. She told me to try Rogue Retreat. Calling there I spoke with Bree who wanted to help but they had no available car seats, she directed me to Hearts with a Mission. I called them; they had a seat, but it was too large… Looking at the clock, we had 45 minutes before we had to be at dinner. One last idea popped to mind, Kid to Kid consignment store was another local business who we collaborate with. I dialed Amber the manager; she happily responded: “Come on over, I have the car seat size you can need!” Within 30 minutes Maria & Eva and both of their sons were enjoying Thanksgiving Dinner at 71Five Parents.

 

Thank you to all the organizations collaborating with 71Five and thank you to those who contribute to these young parents consistently through your donations and prayers… You truly are the hands and feet of Jesus!

 

 

Tami shared with me that although life has been stressful lately; she loves her job. Sometimes she brings her daughter with her to work, and her daughter watches tv while Tami cares for residents, cleans or does laundry. After her work shift Tami walks a block carrying her sleeping daughter home. She said, “If it wasn’t for the support of 71Five Parents, things would be much harder.” Attending Parent Night each Monday helps her feel supported. It’s one night per week she doesn’t have to shop or cook, her daughter can play, and she can get support from people who care. Tami did not know the Lord when she first started coming to 71Five in October of 2021. She said that every time she attends Parent Night she feels a, “Safe, inviting presence.” Tami now has a relationship with the Lord, she says “I believe in Jesus.”

 

Thank you for providing a safe place and hopeful future to young mothers like Tami and their children. You are truly the hands and feet of Jesus.

 

 

“The biggest hurdle for me was when I was pregnant with my second baby Cameron. I remember having Braxton Hicks’ contractions and having to wake up at 7:30 a.m. to get me and my daughter ready for high school.” Candice went on to share that the support the Magdalene Home, the Child Development Center at North Medford High School, and 71Five Parents provided her family were instrumental in her success. Candice was able to graduate from high school this year while mothering three children all under the age of 5. This resilient and strong young mother is a testament of how powerful God’s love is.

 

Thank you providing the space and resources to young girls like Candice. God is using you to give hope to those in need.